FINRA Clarifies Proposed Changes to Outside Activities Rule

Posted on May 12th, 2025 at 2:15 PM
FINRA Clarifies Proposed Changes to Outside Activities Rule

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

FINRA released a statement this week addressing misconceptions surrounding its proposed updates to the rules governing outside business activities by associated persons of broker-dealers. According to FINRA’s Weekly Update, Regulatory Notice 25-05 aims to streamline current requirements and ease unnecessary regulatory burdens.

FINRA emphasizes that the proposal introduces no new reporting or approval obligations. Instead, the proposal clarifies that personal investments in non-securities remain excluded from reporting requirements. Additionally, the proposal does not create new responsibilities for broker-dealers concerning unaffiliated investment adviser activities, nor does it impose obligations on broker-dealers for activities conducted within affiliated entities, such as investment advisers, insurance companies, or banks.

FINRA encouraged industry participants to review the full text of Regulatory Notice 25-05 and submit feedback based on the actual content rather than mischaracterizations. The comment period remains open through May 13.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

If the regulators are after you, and are trying to make a case against you, and you are going to contest their allegations against you, make sure you have the best securities industry defense lawyers, Eccleston Law Firm. My case was spun into a combination of penalties including fines, cash settlements, CE courses and suspension. They were the best I have seen in action. When all was said and done, they had done their magic, my situation was negotiated and settled with a simple "letter of caution" and a case closed without action. It is the most important legal business decision you will ever make, make it Eccleston Law.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 30, 2025
SEC Sues Former Franchise Group CEO Over $350 Million Hedge Fund Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Brian Kahn, former CEO of Franchise Group Inc., alleging he defrauded investors of more than $350 million in a multi-year investment adviser fraud tied to the collapse of Prophecy Asset Management (Prophecy).

October 29, 2025
FINRA Foundation Study Reveals Alarming Investor Susceptibility to Fraudulent Offers

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) has released preliminary findings from its upcoming report, Investors in the United States: A Report of the National Financial Capability Study.

October 28, 2025
UBS Seeks Court Order Against $1.4 Billion Florida Advisory Team Over Client Solicitation Allegations

UBS Wealth Management USA has filed a lawsuit and requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a $1.4 billion advisory team that recently departed to join Elevation Point, a West Palm Beach-based registered investment advisor launched just 15 months ago.